Partner with your REALTOR®

Your agent is not your enemy! Work closely with your agent so that you can either accomplish your goal of selling your home fast or become a homeowner. And yes, you hired the agent but you are still apart of the team. Moreover, purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments that you will ever make and your home is a place where you will be planted for 20+ years or more. The process can be stressful and stir up a wide range of emotions. Which is why it is good to be open minded and work as a team with your real estate agent. Here are some ways that you can contribute to success and collaborate with your REALTOR®

- Keep the lines of communication open! Ask questions, respond to calls and emails, speak up when you agree or disagree. Ask for a contract release in writing if necessary

- Be proactive. Research neighborhoods, schools, crime, sex offenders, or whatever concerns you. Know that it is NOT your agent’s responsibility to keep you “safe” or aware of neighborhood occurrences. Besides, you are the one who will be living in the area and everyone’s safety borderline is not the same. So be proactive and do your research. Go and visit the neighborhood morning, noon, and night; view homes online but visit open houses; ask the agent about the current market rate prices of the communities that you like so that you can have realistic expectations; visit the local stores; visit the local library; go to community centers, and attend community events; above all else, observe the people in the community. Sometimes researching a community can take months. So you should get ready for homeownership at least 6+ months prior to purchasing. NEVER buy a home on impulse because the house could very well be a diamond in a rough area. Be proactive and study the area

- Work for and not against your agent. Leave the premises when there is a scheduled a tour, give all of the keys to agent, be ready for the photo shoot (homes with the most pictures and viewed more often) keep making mortgage payments until the day of settlement, keep the home clean and organized while the home is on the market, and DO NOT remove the key from the lockbox

- Be realistic about the condition. Newsflash: everyone thinks that their home is priceless and is valued at a price higher than the next home but some are not willing to put in the money and effort to make repairs. If you want top dollar for your home, be sure to make top dollar repairs so that you can sell the home for a great price. Because let’s face it, people love eye candy and homes are no different

- Don’t take opinions, feedback or suggestions personal. When your home goes on the market it is no longer your forever home, it is then a house that is on the market. Your agent is trained to come in with an objective opinion and look at the house from a buyer’s perspective. Sometimes that could mean that you will have to face hard facts and making adjustments to get the home sold. It also means that you should not take things personal when you receive feedback from visitors. Remember the ultimate goal is to sell the house fast

Lastly, trust that your agent’s ultimate goal is to sell your home fast or help you purchase a home quickly and keep the relationship going so that you can trust him/her enough to safely refer your family and friends. Partner with your agent and your home search or sale can go smoothly, quickly and satisfy all parties involved.

I hope that this helps. Stay connected with me at www.facebook.com/realestatedivabrenda